Budget hotels in New York City

This is a list of budget hotels in New York City. Thanks to its density and its destination as a major tourist destination, NYC has an atypical hotel marketplace with a wide range of choice that extends beyond your typical double-occupancy room.

If you’re traveling alone, this list is made for you. I’ve tried to find hotels and hostels that cater to solo travelers. In general, I’m making three categories: 1) tiny single-occupancy private rooms with shared bathrooms, 2) hostels, or shared rooms with shared hostels, and 3) budget private rooms with private bathrooms. Some hotels can go in multiple categories.

I’ll try to keep this updated through my own research, but please leave a comment to keep this list updated!

Last updated: 2015 March 26

European-style hotels

The retro-styled Jane NYCis located in the West Village. It has single occupancy rooms (shared bathroom), double occupancy bunk beds (shared bathroom), and the traditional one-bed room with private bathroom. Rates vary, but off-season is about $79+tax and in-season is about $115+tax for the single occupancy rooms.

The hip and stylish Pod Hotels are located in Midtown East, near the UN. The company operates two hotels, Pod 39 and Pod 51. They have single occupancy rooms (shared bathroom), double occupancy bunk beds, and quadruple occupancy bunk beds. Rates vary (and are taxed), but they tend to be higher than The Jane.

Riff Hotels is located in Chelsea. It has single and double occupancy private rooms with shared bathrooms, as well as rooms with private bathrooms and suites. Rates vary and are taxed, but they tend to be about the same price as the Pod Hotels.

The quirky, artsy, bohemian Carlton Arms Hotel is located on the east side of Manhattan. They have single through quadruple occupancy rooms with shared or private bathrooms. Rates are fixed at $70/$80 off/in-season for single occupancy, shared bathroom rooms. Online booking is not available.

The Bowery House is located in the Nolita neighborhood. It has single and double occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms. Rates seem about comparable to The Jane.

The Larchmont Hotel is located in Greenwich Village. They have single and double occupancy rooms and suites. Rates are fixed and are taxed, and start at $90 for weekdays and $109 for weekends. Price includes breakfast.

The Harlem Flophouse(Harlem) has private rooms with shared bathrooms. It’s really more of a budget bed and breakfast. Rates start at $128 for single occupancy, with a $25-35 extra charge per person.

Hotel 17is located on the east side of Manhattan. It has single and triple occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms. Rates vary and are taxed, but it tends to be more expensive than The Jane or Carlton Arms.

Hotel 31 is located on the east side of Manhattan. It is a sister hotel of Hotel 17. It has single occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms, and more traditional lodging options with private bathrooms (“ensuite”). Rates vary and are taxed, but it tends to be more expensive than Hotel 17.

Hostels

Broadly, I define hostels as places where one shares a room with others, dorm style. Bathrooms are shared.

The Hostelling International NYC location is reportedly one of the best hostels in the US. it is located on the Upper West Side. Rates start at $49 for rooms with 10-12 people (if you’re not a HI member, add $3/day). 4 is the least number of people in a room and it costs $70. The biggest positive about HI-NYC is that the rates are untaxed.

The New York Loft Hostel (Brooklyn) has two-four bed dorms as well as private rooms. Rates for the dorms and private rooms seem comparable to HI NYC.

The Broadway Hotel & Hostel (Upper West Side) has 2-bed dorms, double occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms, and rooms with private bathrooms. Rates start at $35 for the dorms and are taxed.

Budget double-occupancy hotels

I deviate from my criteria here with these budget options for two or more travelers, with private bathrooms.